Tuesday

Dec 4, 2018 at 1:12 PMDec 7, 2018 at 10:42 PM

Women are not objects and should not be treated like dolls. This is one of the messages a cast of 14 teenagers hope to shed light on when they present Arlington Children’s Theatre's (ACT) production of “A Doll’s House,” Dec. 14-16 at Trinity Baptist Church in Arlington.

“A Doll’s House,” is a drama written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in the 19th century and adapted by Frank McGuinness, about a woman’s discovery of her intelligence and abilities which have never been taken seriously. As she becomes aware of her self-wroth, she makes a difficult decision to leave her husband and children to make something of herself professionally and personally.

Director Michael McCormack said this was a very controversial play when it was written in the 1870s because a woman leaving her husband and children was unheard of at that time. The message is still relevant today due to the current political climate and “#MeToo” movement, said McCormack.

Co-director Victoria Kleber said “A Doll’s House” appeals to a high school, college and adult audience and has an important message about valuing people to a fuller capacity than society both past and present has done.

The main character, Nora, is played by Rebekah Kwolec, 17, of Lexington. Kwolec said it is a challenging role because she has to act subservient. Kwolec has been involved with ACT for 10 years.

“It can be hard for me to act so submissive and forget about my rights and my amazing opportunities as a woman because in the first two acts of the play I have to act like a little a doll to my husband and do whatever he wants me to do and I don’t understand my own self-worth and my own abilities and what I can do,” she said, adding it is hard because she knows she can do whatever she puts her mind to but she has to forget that when she plays Nora and not allow herself to be advanced until the third act.

Nathan Skoszenski, 15, of Arlington, plays Dr. Rank, a friend of the family in the play who is secretly in love with Nora. His character contrasts with the other men in the play, who are outwardly controlling and manipulative.

Skozenski said the show is very topical in 2018 because some people are taking a step back and looking at how much has actually changed about how women are treated in society and listened to and if they are looked down upon by people in power. “I think this classic show elevates that social issue from the late 19th century and puts into the context of 2018. It’s a wake-up that this is still a situation that could be happening now,” he said.

Isabella Tedesco, 14, of Winchester, plays Kristine Linde, Nora’s childhood friend who is very judgmental and treats Nora more as a little girl than her equal. Tedesco said emotions are difficult for her to depict in her role. “My character is constantly putting down Nora’s character and it’s hard because I do think I am a lot like Nora in some ways, so it’s kind of like I’m yelling at myself,”

Tedesco said she doesn’t love the idea of having a superiority complex, which is the basis of her entire character.

Kate Rodger, 13, of Arlington, plays Nora in the memory scenes, talking about her father and when she was first married. “It think it’s really provocative and makes you think about how a lot has changed but there are still some things that are the same,” she said.

ACT is non-profit organization which was established in 1991. Participants range from age seven through 18. Parents volunteer behind the scenes as crew for every aspect of the productions including costumes, sets, make-up, and lighting. “A Doll’s House,” is one of seven productions the ACT produces annually.